Bakker Sliedrecht signed a contract with CCCC Guangzhou Dredging Company to supply a condition monitoring system to China’s largest trailing suction hopper dredger Jun Yang 1
The condition monitoring system engineered in Sliedrecht, Netherlands, will be used for measuring the vibration of bearings in submersible motors and will be installed on site by sister company Bakker Zhangzhou.
The trailing suction hopper dredger Jun Yang 1 can operate at great depths under severe conditions using the submersible pumps on the suction tube, which are equipped with oil-filled low-speed submersible motors, supplied by Bakker Sliedrecht.
Bakker will install new sensors to measure the vibration in the bearings to collect and store data that is then analysed through algorithms, to make visible potential problems and deviations in the equipment’s condition.
The company’s technology manager Arend van der Velde said “If you see something deteriorating in the motor or the bearings, you can intervene immediately to avoid damage. In addition, this system makes maintenance more plannable and predictive.”
Condition monitoring is a way to improve the preventive maintenance of the motor. Analysing deviations makes it possible to plan maintenance better and early action can be taken in case of malfunctions. Monitoring can help prevent or limit downtime by identifying when and if the bearings have to be replaced.
Bakker Sliedrecht will collect and analyse the data and send Guangzhou Dredging Company semi-annual reports on the general condition of the motor. A dashboard will be installed on board showing the status of the motors and sound the alarm when the system detects an error.
Except for measuring vibrations in the bearings, the technique is further developed within an internal innovation program. By expanding the system with more sensors, data pertaining to engine temperature, oil pressure or engine power can be collected for analysis.
The drive supplied by Bakker Sliedrecht and the frequency inverter of the submersible motors can also be monitored. Mr van der Velde said the company’s goal is to eventually integrate the entire electric train into the system to make early interventions possible.
The company’s account manager Wim Verlek said there is a market trend towards predictive maintenance: “Due to the current global market developments, you can see that the movement towards predictive maintenance is accelerating. Bakker responds to this with new maintenance concepts and condition monitoring.”
The monitoring system can either be added to existing submersible motors or supplied as standard with new motors.Other maintenance products on the market include Wärtsilä’s Expert Insight. In May, Riviera conducted a webinar on turbocharger maintenance with special focus on the need to boost predictive maintenance.
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